You could see Leverkusen's second-place finish last year as a sign they have finally recovered from the doldrums they slipped into after coming up just short in three competitions in 2002. Or you could see it as a sign that that's as far as this club can ever go. Backed by the financial might of the Bayer pharmaceutical company, they have a top-notch academy and consistently attract some of the best young talent in Germany. But since Leverkusen is a small city by top-flight Bundesliga standards, the club has fewer fans than most.

Fun fact: Leverkusen has finished second five times in the past 15 years, earning them the nickname "Neverkusen."

Author: Matt Hermann
Editor: Nicole Goebel